Stillbirth occurs when the baby dies either after 20 weeks into the pregnancy or at birth. A distressing time, stillbirth is more common nearer to the end of the pregnancy.
There are many causes of stillbirth, however, in many cases, these are not known. Infection, poor maternal health, premature birth, and developmental abnormality in the baby are some of the most common causes of stillbirth.
While you cannot completely avert the risk of stillbirth, you can take steps to decrease its chances. Some helpful things to do include:
Keeping your doctor’s appointment
It is imperative that you maintain all your appointments with your obstetrician and gynecologist in Lahore. During these appointments, the doctor keeps track of the development and growth of the baby.
If there are any issues, the doctor can then address them in a timely fashion. Furthermore, the doctor can also guide the mother on how to go about the pregnancy in a safe manner, so that the risk of stillbirth can be averted accordingly then.
Be healthy
For the sake of your health and the baby’s, it is pertinent that you be healthy. This includes eating well; make sure to eat healthy and nutritious foods. Similarly, being active is also important during this time.
Women who are obese need to be extra careful; packing extra pounds can endanger them even further, but at the same time, dieting is also not safe. The best way forward is by being active and eating well.
Avoid people who are ill
To lower your risk of infection and disease, you should also stay away from people who are ill, especially when the infection is contagious like flu, measles, etc.
Flu vaccination
Pregnant women have a greater risk of flu-related complications that include bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. These do not just impact the health of the mother but that of the baby as well.
Hence, talk to your doctor about getting a flu jab. They are safe during pregnancy. Babies are also protected this way as the immunity acquired also passes onto the baby as well.
Food preparation
The risk of infection needs to be minimized during pregnancy. Food is one of the major ways that women get sick. Hence, be sure to safely prepare the food. Wash the fruits and vegetables carefully and thoroughly.
Quit smoking
Smoking carries risk for everyone; however, the implications are even greater with pregnant women as it is not just their life at stake but that of the baby as well.
Hence, make sure to quit smoking. Being around people who smoke also carries risk, therefore, watch out for your environment as well.
Medication
Drugs and some medication during pregnancy can cause harm to the health of the baby. Hence, if you are already taking drugs, you need to talk to your doctor about it. Feeling of shame should not be a deterrent; it is your baby’s life at stake.
Stay aware from certain foods
Food can also be a source of infection as they contain bacteria like listeria, E. coli and salmonella.
Hence, be careful about your dietary intake. Meat that is undercooked or raw should be avoided; these include all deli meat, sushi, medium rare steaks, etc. Similarly, do not eat unpasteurized dairy products like milk and cheese.
Sleep on your side
The sleeping position of the mother matters when it comes to the safety of the baby. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, women should sleep on the side. Do not be scared if you turn to sleeping on the back during the nap or nighttime as long as you start out by sleeping on your side.
Understand milestones
Pregnant women must be aware of the developmental milestones of the baby during pregnancy. They should have sound knowledge of the movements of the baby, so that any changes or problem can be reported immediately to their Gynecologist in Karachi then.
